Home / News & Events / WardsAuto Podcast: Industry Disruption from Iacocca to Trump With Auto Industry Legend Jim Press

This is featured on wardsauto.com • Published July 14, 2025

In this week’s episode, Host David Kiley has an extended chat with longtime auto executive Jim Press. Press, started out at Ford with Lee Iacocca, went on to run Toyota’s U.S. operations through its biggest expansion, and worked at Chrysler when Cerberus owned the brand. Today, he advises companies navigating the current age of disruption.

The only thing for certain going forward is constant change and unpredictability. Jim Press has been navigating the industry for OEMs and dealers since Lee Iacocca was calling the shots at Ford and Lyndon Johnson was in the White House. Today, he is still fascinated by the industry and advising automakers, dealer groups and emerging-technology companies.

Press has an extended chat with WardsAuto Senior Editor David Kiley about surviving and thriving amidst unprecedented disruption.